A Friendly Face and a Helping Hand: Ms. Teresa Johnson Retires After 17 Years at GNS

At the end of this school year, the GNS community will bid a fond farewell to Ms. Teresa Johnson, who is retiring after 17 years of dedicated service.

As a Junior School Teaching Assistant, Teresa has supported students and teachers with great care, particularly in the development of early literacy and numeracy skills. Beyond the classroom, she has been a familiar and friendly face keeping our community safe as a crossing guard, and known for acknowledging and celebrating her colleagues.

Teresa’s journey at GNS began 17 years ago when she relocated from the Peace River North area. Having worked as an Educational Assistant in Fort St. John, she brought a wealth of practical experience with her. After her husband was transferred to Victoria, Teresa answered a tiny ad in the Victoria Times Colonist for a position at GNS.

She jumped into a one-on-one EA role in Mr. Brooks’ Grade 5 Boys class. From there, her role continually morphed to meet the needs of the community. After her first year, she became a Teaching Assistant primarily in Kindergarten, diving headfirst into the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.

Over the years, Teresa’s flexibility became one of her defining traits. Whether she was supporting the Junior School as a roving TA, mentoring students during Exhibition, or staying planted in Grade 1 for several years during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she approached every challenge with a willing spirit. Fittingly, she is wrapping up her career exactly where she found her footing: back in Kindergarten.

When asked what she hopes students take away from their time with her, Teresa’s answer is simple: a love of nature and being outside. Teresa was valuable in the early days of Nature School, helping it grow from visits to Uplands Park to the Junior School-wide exploratory program it is today.

Working so closely with students has also profoundly shaped her. Teresa credits her time at GNS with making her more patient, open-minded and accepting. She hopes that she leaves the school a more inclusive and welcoming place.

Teresa’s favourite GNS memories are deeply tied to the outdoors and our unique Beach Drive Campus. She often reflects on how the historic Rattenbury building feels like an extension of her own home, where you know every nook and cranny. She loves its rich history and cozy fireplaces, and she often jokes about the “terrible view” she has had to look at every single day. 

That incredible waterfront location has provided some of her most cherished experiences. She recognizes how lucky GNS is to be the only Junior School in Canada situated right on the beach. Whenever the tide goes out, Teresa loves heading down to the sand with the students to discover sea creatures and explore the shoreline together.

Teresa has also been a reliable staple on adventures and field trips as an invaluable extra set of hands. Some of her standout memories include riding along on the Grade 5 bike trips, chaperoning excursions to Camp Imadene, and paddling to Kohweechela in the voyager canoes.

Teresa’s kindness, reliability and commitment to the community have left an indelible mark on GNS. Head of School Mr. Chad Holtum noted that “I can safely say that her kindness and dedication have left a lasting mark on GNS and she has done it all with such a big heart.”

Junior School Principal Ms. Crystal Shea says Teresa’s big, bright smile and can-do attitude have become hallmarks at the Beach Drive. “[She] ensures that everyone feels safe and well cared for, whether that be as a crossing guard or in the classroom, nurturing the students to be brave and do their best.”

To maintain her motivation over such a dynamic career, Teresa has always been a lifelong learner. She is now a Master Gardener and freely shares her green thumb with her colleagues. As she looks towards retirement Teresa says family will be front and centre. She is looking forward to spending time with her first grandchild, a baby girl who lives nearby.

While Ms. Johnson feels that GNS has truly felt like a family and that she will deeply miss her colleagues and the students, she knows she will stay connected to children. “There’s a lot you can do to help them, and there are lots of kids who need help.”